Hoban Encourages Businesses to Target Unemployment Rates

Employment Minister, Mark Hoban, launched the £1 billion Youth Contract: Works for me campaign in April this year, which encourages businesses to take responsibility for the large number of unemployed youths in the UK. The campaign hopes to provide 500,000 jobs for those between the ages of 18-24 through the means of apprenticeships, voluntary work and work experience. The Department for Work and Pensions will be supporting this campaign over the coming weeks, targeting areas of high youth unemployment via print and media channels. It is Hoban’s intention to promote the benefits of hiring young people in apprenticeship positions to potential employers. Another incentive is that businesses may be entitled to a payment of £2,275 for each new employee they take on.

Hoban expressed his view that, “Local businesses around the country are vital in tackling the problem of youth unemployment, and I want to make sure they take advantage of all the help we’re offering them.” He also noted that, “With extra work experience places and wage incentives we’re giving young people the skills they need to find work and cutting the costs for business to employ them.”